Open Journal Systems

Women and War: An overview

Charlotte Lindsey

Abstract

Frequently today’s conflicts are internal - fought within a country between different ethnic or political groups of the same "nationality" - rather than international, fought between countries and across borders. This has led to the civilian population becoming increasingly "caught up" in the conflict and/or targeted by the parties to the armed conflict as part of a deliberate strategy. War at home rather than abroad has had a major impact on women as members of the civilian population. Furthermore, women are increasingly taking up arms as members of the armed forces.